10 MISTAKES to Avoid When Hiking Alone | How to Stay Safe While SOLO HIKING

10 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiking Alone | How to Stay Safe While Solo Hiking // Solo hiking can be intimidating for ANYBODY, whether you’re a man or a woman.

With all of the solo hiking and backpacking trips I’ve gone on and all of the solo hiking and backpacking videos I’ve created and posted here on my YouTube channel over the years, a question I see pop up in the comments and get asked all the time is,

“How can I stay safe while hiking alone?”

In this video, I’m going to share with you 10 mistakes to avoid when hiking alone that will help you stay safe while solo hiking.

Don’t let fear (or someone else’s fear) hold you back and get in the way of something you’re passionate about and want to do for yourself. If you want to give solo hiking a try, do your research, properly plan and prepare for your adventure and then go out there and have fun.

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#Hiking #SoloHiking #TheHungryHiker

[TheHungryHiker]

Thanks for watching! Are you thinking about going hiking solo, but not sure how to do it safely? What’s the one thing you’re afraid of when it comes to getting out on trail by yourself? I know I’ve made my fair share of mistakes while out solo hiking over the years. What are some mistakes you’ve made while out hiking alone? Tell me in the comments below.

[Direct]

Women can also give their backpack a name like “Jason” and when someone asks if you’re alone you tell them “No, Im with my friend/boyfriend/husband Jason he’s right behind me”..

[BADazzJewelryCo]

I saw today a great idea for when your battery on your phone is running low and you’re in need of help. Change your voicemail message to include your location, the time you ran into problems, what the problem is, what you’re wearing/look like, what gear you have with you, and if there is a person who is following you or something, what they look like and their clothing. That way, even if your phone dies, when someone calls to check up on you the voicemail message will alert them to trouble and hopefully they will alert the authorities.

[glenndorsey]

I consider injury as my #1 solo backpacking risk and in my experience a major mistake that I make that increases my risk of injury is hiking when I’m too tired. That’s when you use poor judgement, make mistakes, and are too tired to recover from a slip. Stop for the day before you get exhausted.

[mtadams]

I am older male long distance backpacker, mostly because all my friends my age have packed it in when it comes to backpacking. This said a couple of things I would add. The first one is be very careful at road crossings and parking lots at road crossings. I have heard of multiple people running into some strange people. Also don’t camp near the roads. The locals get bored and messing with the hikers is a thing for some. I personally have never had an issue but I know people who have. Make sure you pack a paper map. Yes I love my Far Out app and use it all the time but a recent bad experience on the Long Trail in Vermont changed all of that trust. Vermont has been getting a lot of rain throughout the month of June and well into July and it was also very warm for Vermont. My phone was acting up because of the extreme humidity. To make a long story short I got caught out in a very bad rain storm, over 10 inches of rain in less than 24 hours. A couple people drowned, one an AT hiker. Try using a touch screen phone in pouring rain with super high humidity. It’s pretty much impossible. I will now invest in an In Reach. Not knowing the weather was very bad. Rain was in the forecast all week but this massive storm that flooded much of Vermont including it’s capital was not called until late in the day. I run into lots of solo women on the trial and I always try to make them feel comfortable. People hiking are generally very nice and supportive. I have assisted in a rescue and a couple years ago I helped two young women find their way. One was crying and really stressed. I hiked back about a mile and got them on the correct trail. I don’t think bad people are your biggest problem. In the east it’s deer ticks. Take care

[miken]

People get lost when they get off trail to poop or stealth camp. In heavy foliage where you can't see trail when you are off trail, you can miss trail entirely if you are 5 degrees off. I carry a map compass around my neck and every time I get off trail I point that compass in direction I am going to head, turn the dial and put red in the shed, and that compass is set. Return direction is 180 degrees from that compass setting. Take a compass setting BEFORE u get off trail, compass is no good once u are already lost. People get lost, pull out that worthless button compass and guess what, they are still lost.

[Hiker_who_Sews]

Senior hikers, it could happen... You've answered mother nature's call, and now a knee or hip decides it's time to turn painful. I always keep a trekking pole at my side to help me up. And it's one of my "protection" devices.

[amaropargo]

I'm also a (tropical rain forrest) solo hiker. If for any reason I have to take my eyes off the trail, I immediately stop walking. Checking the phone, looking into the trees or surroundings....total stop. It's not worth stepping on a snake or tripping over
something. Good video !!

[Indypackrat]

My #1 Rule when solo is stay on trail and of course let someone know your schedule. The horror stories that people talk about usually circle back to poor decisions and leaving the trail.

[justalurkr]

I was all set for my solo hiking career! Part of my preparation was volunteering for my local SAR team. After several weeks of training, I strapped ona pack for my first mission, stepped confidently off the sidewalk into the meadow, tripped, and managed a type four tibial plateau fracture that left me non-weight bearing for 10 and a half weeks. So, I don't have to seek out horror stories! Also quite glad to have been in the company of a baker's dozen of search and rescue personnel who got some excellent practice moving me out of the way of the actual mission. Lesson learned: hike solo only after you've trained and conditioned in good company.

[Oldsparkey]

Some good advice you have offered everyone. I have hiked, camped and canoed with groups and organized the trips. When going by myself I do everything like I would when setting up a group trip. I add in some safety measures for solo trips, Bear Spray. It's good for all critters 4 and 2 legged ones. Handguns at times ( I have a permit ) are nice but a bullet can go over a mile the Bear spray is about 30 feet.
I avoid crowded areas and shy away from groups. If a group is there then I will fall back on my 2nd choice. My vehicle in the parking area has a note on the dash.. Guy's when you arrive go to the area I told you about. Anyone thinking of breaking in my vehicle has no idea when the guy's will show up. No one will since I'm going solo. If someone is asking a lot of questions, usually a short non explanatory answer and move on further down the trail. Normally I have the whole area to my self since the Florida Trail is not that well known. A stealth camp 100 feet or more off the trail helps. Basically as you said, know your surroundings and conditions.
Solo is nice since you can do what you want, when you want, where you want and there is no one else to worry about. About being solo, Folks ask me and I tell them there are always three of us . Me, Myself and I and I snore's. lol

[davidkuhns]

I'd add to be very conservative in the risks you will take. I hike alone a lot. I discipline myself to turn back when conditions seem sketchy. Even on familiar trails high water, a steep snowbank, or a fallen tree in a dangerous location could put you at risk, with no one there to help.

[seansixfive]

Solo hiking is where its at for me! You have a better connection with the natural environment, you will learn valuable skills much faster but you will also be confronted by your fears and limits, most of which a mental obstacles. Plan your routes, bring enough food and water, take a basic survival kits(you will never use it), backup battery for recharging phone. Stay hydrated as this will help you will think clearer. Biggest killer in the mountains is hypothermia. Think about how you could maintain your core temperature should you have to spend an unexpected night. Enjoy your hikes!

[JessieGau]

I am used to travel alone for past 15 years and do my solo hiking since 2 years ago. Still your video helps me a lot! Thanks for investing your time for making this video. ❤

[memathews]

Such good information. Having broken my wrist when a hiker above me slipped on a snow patch and tumbled into me, to tearing my MCL during a solo ski traverse of the Jefferson Wilderness, along with numerous other minor injuries, first aid and communications are top of mind. But your other suggestions provide a tremendous safety factor as well to make all our hikes fun. Thanks for what you do!

[timg]

Good video. Good tips.
Having a plan and a tool or multiple tools for self Defense goes a long way in easing many people’s anxiety. Have a plan, practice with your tool, gain confidence and enjoy the hike.

Carrying the 10 essentials is always a good idea too but knowing how to use those ten essentials is invaluable. Practice with those too.

[ObscureMusicInCatalan]

My family tells me I shouldnt do it because it's dangeroys. Hell, I've been through dangerous moments and scary things, but that won't stop me from getting my dose. I love hiking and nobody around me does as much, plus I enjoy it more alone, I can't explain it. Is like a drug. Important to never underestimate the mountain.

[idahogie]

#3 is good ...but I'd suggest that you *always* chat with the people you run across and let them know your plans. I'm male, so I don't have the same problems that women have, so I understand having to be a little bit evasive. But i've been hiking solo where search and rescue people are out searching for lost hikers. It's really important that people on the trail have a general idea of your plans so that you can be found if needed.

I'm really sorry that this is a more difficult thing for women that are solo hiking.

[Tk-izws]

Carry a red pencil.
When going off the trail to relieve yourself take only 20 steps each & every time. Put the pencil with lead facing the direction of your trail. Always face the direction of your trail while doing your business. After zipping up pick up your red pencil and take 20 steps back in that direction on to your trail. Then continue on your way.

[hikewithmike]

You are much safer being alone in the woods then being in the city..in my opinion all animals have predictable behaviors..humans are unpredictable and much more dangerous then any wild animal.